How many miles to go after gas light comes on? - Page 4

funked1 · 01-29-2022, 10:32 PM

There seems to be about a 2 gallon reserve. I have gone 25 miles after the range estimate shows "low". That's about 25 miles after the low fuel warning comes on.

LT4Greg · 01-30-2022, 08:16 AM

I wouldn’t try to stretch the mileage too far after the light comes on or you might find yourself walking to a gas station or calling someone to bring you some gas. I know because of experience.

MakCamaro · 01-30-2022, 01:07 PM

On a ZL1 not too many miles...

LT4Greg · 01-30-2022, 05:18 PM

So true!

UnknownJinX · 01-30-2022, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Thanks ctrlz, this is super useful info.

Indeed I was responding to a scenario when someone keeps driving the car 30-40-50 miles after the low fuel light comes on. I try to always fill up sooner than seeing this light.

Just to add, if you do a high-G lateral turn, you will end up sloshing all the fuel into one side of the tank. The auxiliary pump helps to bring the fuel back to the side with the main pump, but with this in mind, I personally keep my fuel level above 1/4 on the gauge if I am doing track days or even just very spirited driving.

arpad_m · 01-30-2022, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnknownJinX

Just to add, if you do a high-G lateral turn, you will end up sloshing all the fuel into one side of the tank. The auxiliary pump helps to bring the fuel back to the side with the main pump, but with this in mind, I personally keep my fuel level above 1/4 on the gauge if I am doing track days or even just very spirited driving.

Very wise, why run the unnecessary risk after all. I've seen similar advice elsewhere to keep the fuel level at least at 1/4 when tracking the car.

I keep telling myself that more gas means more weight and thus better traction in the rear, whether or not it's actually true (but it should be, right?)

Chutzpah · 01-30-2022, 10:09 PM

I’m curious why there are so many serious answers to this ridiculous question. Keep a reasonable amount of gas in the tank and call it a day.

Seriously, the last time I saw a low fuel warning (or at “E”) I was making $3 hr, using my car for hayrides and asking friends for their spare change to put a coupe $’s of gas in to support those ride(s).

cdrptrks · 01-30-2022, 10:29 PM

I once drove a few miles beyond the estimated range remaining and it took just over 19 gallons of gas...was cutting it too close for comfort. The manual lists the fuel capacity as 19 gallons. That's the only time I have drafted a semi to save fuel lol!

On my car it usually changes to LOW with around 25 miles of range remaining when driving on the highway which triggers the low fuel dash alert.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnknownJinX

Just to add, if you do a high-G lateral turn, you will end up sloshing all the fuel into one side of the tank. The auxiliary pump helps to bring the fuel back to the side with the main pump, but with this in mind, I personally keep my fuel level above 1/4 on the gauge if I am doing track days or even just very spirited driving.

I have finished many track sessions with around 1/4 of a tank and several with around 1/8 without any issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arpad_m

I keep telling myself that more gas means more weight and thus better traction in the rear, whether or not it's actually true (but it should be, right?)

I have found that I often experience more oversteer at 3/8 of a tank or less when driving with traction/stability control off but I guess it is a combination of the tires heating up throughout the session and the fuel load getting lighter.

FlukeSS · 01-31-2022, 09:16 AM

It really isn't hard to figure out tbh.

The cars have a 19 gallon gas tank.

If you fill 17 gallons when the light comes on you have 2 gallons left. And how far you can go depends on how you drive. I do mostly highway driving, so for me I can go 40-50 miles when the gas light comes on. Assuming I'm running 93 pump. Which I do in the winter.

Math is pretty much straight forward.

gpskinzhut · 01-31-2022, 09:59 AM

ctrlz · 01-31-2022, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnknownJinX

Just to add, if you do a high-G lateral turn, you will end up sloshing all the fuel into one side of the tank. The auxiliary pump helps to bring the fuel back to the side with the main pump...

Only one pump, and it is on the right. The left side just contains a fuel level sending unit and a fuel pickup. Right side also has a level sensor. The car obviously uses both sensors to calculate the overall fuel level and determine if the pump needs to move fuel from left to right. There is a transfer line for that.

UnknownJinX · 01-31-2022, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdrptrks

I have finished many track sessions with around 1/4 of a tank and several with around 1/8 without any issues.

I have found that I often experience more oversteer at 3/8 of a tank or less when driving with traction/stability control off but I guess it is a combination of the tires heating up throughout the session and the fuel load getting lighter.

I have also done track days with 1/8 tank on the gauge at the end, but I wouldn't say I personally want to encourage it or make it a habit. As arpad said, it's just adding unnecessary risk of a lean spike, which is pretty bad, especially for turbocharged/supercharged engines.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctrlz

Only one pump, and it is on the right. The left side just contains a fuel level sending unit and a fuel pickup. Right side also has a level sensor. The car obviously uses both sensors to calculate the overall fuel level and determine if the pump needs to move fuel from left to right. There is a transfer line for that.

Well, I need to look at the service manual at some point to understand it, so I will take your word for it for now.

My point being, if you do a high-G turn, you could potentially throw all fuel to one side before it balances out with the transfer line.

ctrlz · 02-01-2022, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnknownJinX

Well, I need to look at the service manual at some point to understand it, so I will take your word for it for now.

The service manual does not tell you exactly how it works, particularly with regard to how it calculates the level on each side to determine the total fuel reserve and how it goes about transferring from left to right. Based on description below, I suspect the secondary jet pump is either always active or has a solenoid valve controlled by input from the left tank level sensor.

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION > FUEL SYSTEM DESCRIPTION > PRIMARY FUEL
TANK FUEL PUMP MODULE

The primary fuel tank fuel pump module is located inside of the right side of the fuel tank. The primary fuel
tank fuel pump module consists of the following major components:
The fuel level sensor
The fuel pump and reservoir assembly
The fuel filter
The pressure relief regulator valve
The fuel strainer
The primary jet pump
The secondary jet pump

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION > FUEL SYSTEM DESCRIPTION > SECONDARY
FUEL TANK FUEL PUMP MODULE

The secondary fuel tank fuel pump module is located inside of the left side of the fuel tank. The
secondary fuel tank fuel pump module consists of the following major components:
The fuel level sensor

The fuel pick-up

TXCSSU · 02-01-2022, 10:43 AM

I've found that driving with vehicles that get less than 20 MPG, it's easy on the "sticker shock" to fill up before the tank ever reaches 1/2 a tank. Granted, you're carrying around extra weight but I prefer that over $60+ fill-ups. I'm sure our Canadian friends laugh at $60 fill-ups..

And as someone already mentioned, I don't let the tank get that low.

01-30-2022, 08:16 AM	#44
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	I wouldn’t try to stretch the mileage too far after the light comes on or you might find yourself walking to a gas station or calling someone to bring you some gas. I know because of experience. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

01-30-2022, 01:07 PM	#45
MakCamaro Makis Drives: 2020 Red Hot ZL1 A10 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: London - UK Posts: 806	On a ZL1 not too many miles... __________________ Red Hot 2020 Camaro ZL1 A10 <-- Enjoying the hell out of it Mosaic black 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 (sold)

01-30-2022, 05:18 PM	#46
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	So true! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

01-31-2022, 09:59 AM	#52
gpskinzhut Drives: 2017 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,960 View My Garage	__________________ 2017 ZL1 A10 2017 2SS M6: (SOLD) \|\| 2014 2LT Convertible: (SOLD) \|\| 2010 2LT M6 Supercharged:(SOLD) \|\| 1987 IROC-Z 5.0 M5: (SOLD)

01-29-2022, 10:32 PM	#43
funked1 Drives: '23 Hyundai Kona N, '24 VW GTI Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 404	There seems to be about a 2 gallon reserve. I have gone 25 miles after the range estimate shows "low". That's about 25 miles after the low fuel warning comes on.

01-30-2022, 10:09 PM	#49
Chutzpah Drives: Wild Cherry LT1 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,926	I’m curious why there are so many serious answers to this ridiculous question. Keep a reasonable amount of gas in the tank and call it a day. Seriously, the last time I saw a low fuel warning (or at “E”) I was making $3 hr, using my car for hayrides and asking friends for their spare change to put a coupe $’s of gas in to support those ride(s).

01-31-2022, 09:16 AM	#51
FlukeSS Drives: 2020 Camaro 2SS A10 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,388	It really isn't hard to figure out tbh. The cars have a 19 gallon gas tank. If you fill 17 gallons when the light comes on you have 2 gallons left. And how far you can go depends on how you drive. I do mostly highway driving, so for me I can go 40-50 miles when the gas light comes on. Assuming I'm running 93 pump. Which I do in the winter. Math is pretty much straight forward.

02-01-2022, 10:43 AM	#56
TXCSSU Account Suspended Drives: 2022 ZL1 M6/Nissan Leaf Join Date: May 2016 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,138	I've found that driving with vehicles that get less than 20 MPG, it's easy on the "sticker shock" to fill up before the tank ever reaches 1/2 a tank. Granted, you're carrying around extra weight but I prefer that over $60+ fill-ups. I'm sure our Canadian friends laugh at $60 fill-ups.. And as someone already mentioned, I don't let the tank get that low.

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